Boy Scout Troop 665 Honors Two Eagle Scouts

Michael Brandon Babinec, son of Mike and Mary Babinec of Riverview, and Jacob Jeffery Brumbeloe, son of Jeff and Alice Brumbeloe of Durant, received the highest rank of Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout, during a Court of Honor ceremony in July. Both boys are from Boy Scout Troop 665, which is sponsored by Oakwood Baptist Church in Brandon. Clarence ‘Lucky’ Wade is their new scoutmaster.

For his Eagle project, Babinec built four very sturdy benches that sit around two fire pits at the Masonic Park & Youth Camp in Ruskin, where the troop camps at each year. Michael said, “Giving back to the community we live in is important as an Eagle project.”

As a 2012 honor graduate of Riverview High School, he was a member of the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, National Science Honor Society, and National Technical Honor Society. He also excelled in cross country and track & field, breaking numerous school records in the 5K, 1 and 2 mile distance races, and captain of the cross country team for three years and the distance team captain in track & field for three years. He will be attending the University of South Florida with academic and athletic scholarships.

For his Eagle project, Brumbeloe built three, 3-by-3-ft. cedar wood and chicken wire platforms, weighing 50 lbs. each. Mosaic covered the cost of the supplies, as well as Shoreline Marine’s installation fee. The total cost was about $4,000. Jacob said, “I learned a lot. Osprey’s look for high places because the female needs to be master of all she surveys, the pair choose and build the nest together, then raise the young (usually two or three chicks) there. The female stays on the nest, protecting it from marauding birds of prey and other critters, while the male is a lean, mean hunting machine. The birds mate for life and come back year after year to the same spot to have their young. Giving back to the community we live in is important as an Eagle project.

Brumbeloe is an Honor graduate of Durant High School, graduating in the top 5% of the class. He was a member of National Honor Society and Best Buddies. He also excelled in cross country and soccer, serving as team captain his senior year. He will be attending the University of Alabama in Huntsville with academic scholarships, and playing on their soccer team.

Both boys began their journey to Eagle Scout as Tiger Cubs in 2000. They are both members of the Order of the Arrow (an elite group within scouting) and have held many positions within their troop.